Cringe Pt.1

I didn't like waking up in a room that smelt of disinfectant. I did, though, like having to wake up to my favourite blonde. On the small patient bed, right next to me, all cuddled up. Her beautiful face was bright with a smile. I hadn't seen her in a long time... she'd only grown to be more beautiful. Now that I think about it, who changed my clothes... or why does she have that smile... a perverted smile... unique to Jiraiya-sama...?

...How about we just leave it out of my... very innocent thoughts. My hand poked her in the brow... having had to go through those... peaks. Thoughts, for God's sake! She slowly opened her eyes... and I'm not sure why... but she hugged me right away. I welcomed the hug... obviously. I then felt her flinch, as she probably realised what she'd gone and done, and backed away from me.

I frowned. "Why do you cheat them... these emotions? Why are you faking them... Ino?" She didn't answer, getting out of bed. "...You won't be leaving unless you answer me... unless you answer my feelings." I grabbed her hand and held her in place. "Why...? Why do you act as if you hate me... Ino? Is it because I didn't bring you along with me at that time...?" She flinched once again, struggling to get her hand away... but I only stiffened my grip. "I couldn't bring you since it was too dangerous..."

"...I can't bear it. I can't bear the thought of you getting hurt... because of my carelessness. And, didn't I say I was going to come back...? Although you never took this necklace from me... I vowed to myself that I would always be there for you. Why...? Why are you refusing to accept me now...?" She snorted. She eventually turned around. A scowl on her teary-eyed face. "Miyuki Shirogane. No matter how clever you may be... you'll never realise what I wanted... desired from you." I frowned. What did she mean by that...? What does she want...?

"W-What do you-" She snorted again. "See... I told you. You'd never get me... what I've always desired... needed... wanted from you... you'd never get it." She slowly moved her hand away from me... and was just about to leave the room... when her pace decreased. "Ino..." She quickly screeched to a halt. "...How is Asuma-neesan...?" She finally responded after a long pause. "...He's fine. Thank you... for being so... heartless."

I heard her whisper that last part. Just as she was just about to walk through the door, undoubtedly slamming it shut behind her... I called her name once more. "Ino. Is it... acknowledgement... that you want?" Nonetheless, she slammed the door, gasping, and frantically turned to face me, startled... but relieved. Her face now had a sceptical look. "You didn't simply make a guess, did you...?" Her face now sunk into a scowl.

Jeez. Women and their mood swings. "I did not." Her scowl remained fixed on her face. "Remember when we were nine? When I stumbled into a Yamanaka training ground... and accidentally ran into you?" She nodded. "You told me... that time your father didn't want to teach you the clan techniques yet... that he didn't... acknowledge you. Or, in your words, "How dare he not acknowledge the great me!" Ino went into a trance.

"...You do remember... don't you?" And then, with a face so red that it'd give me a complex, she finally remembered that time. "I... do..." Her voice sounded like that of a mouse. And, even though I heard her... "What...? I couldn't hear you... could you please repeat that?" But I was basically toying with fire... dealing with a girl I'd known since I was a child.

"...You...! I hate you, you jerk!" I can't just let her go now, can I? In an instant, I appeared beside her, shutting the door she was just about to open... pinning her against it. "...Without even hearing the rest... Ino... where are you going?" I could feel her squirm as I eyed her. "...Remember how I said I'd acknowledge you... even if no one else did? I've never considered you weak."

She was now staring me in the eyes. "I didn't bring you because I felt you were weak. Didn't you think the same thing back then? Or even now...?" She nodded softly, her mouth wide open. "Then I'll say it again: I acknowledge you, Ino Yamanaka... I've never considered you weak, and I never will." I then flashed her a broad grin. "So... that was indeed a guess... wasn't it?" ...Mission failed. "You did guess that... didn't you...?"

...H-How can girls smile and be terrifying at the same time?! "I-I'd rather classify it as an incredibly smart and sophisticated judgment...!" She didn't seem to buy that... excuse. "...O-Okay... I did... I did guess... I'm sorry... Ino." Her giggle was the next thing I heard. "Still... I suppose... that "guess" is acceptable as well." She then got on her toes to equal my height... moved her face closer to mine... pulled my head down...

...Then placed her lips on mine.